Quick answer
Before hiring a tutor, ask how they will diagnose the gap, what the first session will show, who will teach each week, how practice is targeted, how progress is measured, and what happens if the plan is not working. Strong answers are specific, observable, and tied to your child.
Most parents choose a tutor based on price, schedule and a friendly first call. Those matter. But they don't tell you whether your child will actually learn.
These 12 questions do. Use them with any tutor or program — including us.
Before you ask: know what you're solving
Write one sentence: "My child is struggling with ___, and I notice it when ___." For example: "My child keeps losing points on math tests, and I notice it when problems have negative numbers." That sentence helps any tutor show whether they can find the real blocker.
Questions about diagnosis
1. How will you find out exactly what my child is missing? Listen for: a specific assessment — not just "we'll look at the homework." Red flag: starting lessons before any diagnostic.
2. After the first session, what will you be able to tell me? Listen for: a named gap or mistake pattern (e.g., "sign errors when distributing"). Red flag: "They just need more practice."
3. How do you tell a concept gap from a careless mistake? Listen for: checking with new problems and asking the child to explain.
Questions about the plan
4. What will a typical session look like? Listen for: a clear structure — review, targeted practice, independent check.
5. Will sessions follow my child's school curriculum, fill gaps, or both? Listen for: both, with a reason tied to your child's needs.
6. How often should my child come, and for how long? Listen for: a recommendation based on the gap. Research on effective tutoring points to regular sessions — often three or more a week — for students who are behind (Loeb, Stanford, 2022).
7. What's the group size? Listen for: small enough for individual correction. Effective tutoring research generally points to groups of about three or fewer.
Questions about the tutor
8. Who will actually teach my child — and will it be the same person each week? Listen for: a consistent tutor. Consistency is one of the features linked to stronger results.
9. What is your experience with this grade and subject? Listen for: specific experience, such as Integrated Math 1 or reading comprehension in middle school.
Questions about progress
10. How will I know it's working — and by when? Listen for: specific signs (fewer repeated errors, independent homework, test results) and a time frame for review.
11. How often will you update me, and what will the update say? Listen for: short, specific updates about skills, not only attendance.
12. What happens if it isn't working? Listen for: a plan to reassess and adjust.
Red flags
- No diagnostic before starting
- Sessions spent only finishing tonight's homework
- Vague progress reports ("doing great!")
- Rotating tutors every week
- Long contracts before you've seen any results
Why GrowWise?
- Diagnostic first — we name the real blocker before planning.
- Targeted academic practice — math with pattern correction, reading with evidence, writing with clarity.
- Small groups or 1:1.
- Clear parent updates on what changed.
Ask us all 12 questions. We'd rather you choose well than choose fast.
Next step
Book a diagnostic assessment or take the free Self-Check. Call or text (925) 456-4606.